General Description:

Leichhardtia is a genus of 85 species native to Malesia, Australia and Melanesia.  There are 26 species in Australia, all of which were previously classified in the genus Marsdenia (Marsdenia was reclassified in 2021* and broken up into 24 genera with Australian species being allocated to the reinstated genera Gymnema and Leichhardtia).

Leichhardtia suaveolens (previously Marsdenia suaveolens) is a scrambling climber or small shrub with stems containing a milky sap. The leaves are lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate (spear-shaped), from 20-70 mm long and up to 25 mm wide.  The creamy flowers arise in clusters from the leaf axils and are about 5-8 mm in diameter. Flowering occurs in spring through to mid-summer. Flowers are followed by narrow seed pods containing feathery seeds.

Few members of this genus are in cultivation but L.suaveolens would be worth considering as an unusual but attractive small, scented plant for a sheltered location in well drained soil. It is tolerant of moderate frosts.

L.suaveolens can be grown from fresh seed, which requires no pretreatment. Cuttings of firm, young growth should also be successful.

* Forster, Paul I.; Gymnema R.Br. and Leichhardtia R.Br. (Apocynaceae), reinstated genera for taxa previously included in Marsdenia R.Br. Austrobaileya, Vol. 11 (2021), pp. 1-18.